Headlines
Fox to FCC: License Challenge Threatens First Amendment
Says it would put agency on ‘collision course’ with content regulation
FEMA: National EAS Test Set for October
FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this fall.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Deal Digest: Relevant Radio Expands In Indiana, Equity Sheds Another Jersey Shore Station
Relevant Radio has filed a $1,262,000 deal to buy religious WRDF Columbia City, IN (106.3) in the Ft. Wayne market and WRDI, Nappanee, IN (95.7) in the Elkhart market from Redeemer Radio Gorup.
Ardman Acquires A Blueberry Patch
He’s known as the owner of Nia Broadcasting, licensee of such stations as WTMP in the Tampa-St. Petersburg DMA. Now, Neal Ardman is poised to expand his holdings by growing in the Peach State.
Norsan Media Buys KTXX Austin. Programming Plans Not Yet Revealed
Norsan Media is acquiring KTXX Austin (104.9) and the Austin-licensed FM translator K287FG at 105.3 from Genuine Austin Radio for a price that has not yet been disclosed.
WWNN/Pompano Beach, FL Sold Again
VIC CANALES MEDIA GROUP, LLC Is selling Oldies WWNN-A/POMPANO BEACH, FL to RADIO ACTIVA MEDIA GROUP INC. for $450,000 ($100,000 down, $300,000 cash at closing, $50,000 in a promissory note).
FCC
Looking at the Rules for the November Window for Filing for New LPFM Stations – and the September 1 Freeze on Changes in Existing FM Translator and LPFM Facilities
The FCC’s Media Bureau this week issued a Public Notice announcing the rules for filing applications for new Low Power FM stations during a filing window that will open on November 1 and close on November 8, 2023 at 6 PM EST.
Television
Bally Sports May Lose TV Rights To Some NBA & NHL Teams Before The Start of The 2023 Season
Recently Bally Sports lost rights to two MLB teams, with the Padres and Diamondbacks both not being paid. They have also lost the NBA Phoenix Suns recently as the team decided not to renew their TV contract with Bally Sports and instead will now broadcast their games for free on over-the-air TV with Gray Television.
Radio
The Trouble With Radio Sales
The “sales problem” has dogged radio for eons – in the 90's, the 00's, pre and post-pandemic, during the analog years and now since the advent of digital.
Radio Licensee Faces Possible Monetary Forfeiture for Unauthorized Modifications
Eager to get on the air, a Louisiana licensee allegedly swapped antenna type and mounted it at different height without FCC authorization
Verticals
Back To School: A $40 Billion Opportunity For Stores.
Americans are expected to spend record amounts on back-to-school and back to college this year, and they plan to do most of that spending in physical stores.